Kingdom 06

08/08/11 • 28 min

Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times

Barabbas and his men (Ch.17) go over their attack plans and dream of their success. Meanwhile, Benjamin is also making plans--plans to expand his shop. Aertes is outraged (Ch.18) at Herod's sending Samantha back and plans to attack Herod. Meanwhile, John arrives in Tiberius and is told of Herod's adultery and bigamy. Preaching on the palace lawn, he confronts the king, who has him thrown into the dungeon, where he visits him (Ch.19) and taunts him asking why his God and Messiah hasn't rescued him. John thinks and begins to doubt whether Jesus is the Christ and so asks Herod to send his disciples to Jesus to ask him. Ch. 20 finds the two beggars again looking for a better spot and finding one where Jesus is speaking and healing. Timotheus seeing John's disciples pushing their way to the front, edges forward and hears their question and the answer as well as the strange words Jesus says about John. He wonders about the speaker's words and if he could be the messiah, but is again rebuked by Lucas.

Previous Episode

Kingdom 05

we find Manaheem thinking. (a first person monologue of his thoughts on love and conformity as they relate to his situation with Claressa, and his decision to solve his need for more money by blackmailing Herod) while Barabbas and his men make concrete plans for the attack and Barabbas still debates whether to tell his wife. We then get a glimpse of Benjamin, the cloth shop owner and his home-life. Barabbas finally does tell his wife. We follow the two beggars (Ch.14) as they search for another good begging spot and end up where John is baptizing. We see Manaheem blackmail Herod. We also glimpse (Ch.16 another 1st person account) the life and ministry of John the Baptist and his musings as he wonders what is left for him since Jesus has come and his following has fallen off. Seeking a big sin to preach against, he decides to go to Tiberius to see what he can find there.

Next Episode

Kingdom 07

Ch. 21 is titled "The Unforgettable Party," referring to Herod's birthday party at which Herodius' daughter, Salome, dances and, in answer to Herod's promise, asks for the head of John the baptist on a platter. Shortly after the head is brought in, the palace is attacked by Aertes' army. Herod, suspecting Pilate might have something to do with the attack, (Ch.22) sends a page for Manaheem, who is with Claressa. The page mentions the beheading. Thus Manaheem rebukes Herod strongly, but still decides to further the insurrection plan. Barabbas and his men are ready and restless (Ch23) and Barabbas decides to go ahead but wonders if he should wait for the mysterious stranger. Just when he was deciding to go ahead, the stranger appears and tells him to do so. The rest of the chapter describes the insurrection and its outcome.